Under the Skin
Directed by Jonathan Glazer6.383%55%6.1
A voluptuous woman of unknown origin combs the highways in search of isolated men, luring a series of lost souls into an otherworldly lair.
Where to Watch Under the Skin
- Francis Hehle18 January 2026I’ve watched a lot of movies in my life - some great, some terrible. This one might genuinely be the worst I’ve seen in my 42 years on this planet. What on earth was that ? Confusing, empty, painfully pretentious. The only redeeming moment was seeing Scarlett Johansson naked… and even that wasn’t enough to save it. End of story.
- naren shenoy10 December 2025I’m going to echo what other people said. I get what it was going for, but I guess I wasn’t at home to sign for the delivery. And admittedly I watched it out of curiosity for certain ScarJo…. reasons…. Shame on me that I wanted some context. This feels like a movie that has or should have won some artsy type awards.
- Michael Heimgartner8 June 2025A Hypnotic Descent into Alienation and Identity Under the Skin is not a film in the traditional sense—it is an experience. Jonathan Glazer, known for his visually bold storytelling, crafts here what can best be described as a meditative, experimental science-fiction film that both fascinates and unsettles. It’s slow, strange, and abstract—and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. Scarlett Johansson delivers one of the most haunting performances of her career. As an alien figure navigating through Scotland in a stolen human form, she embodies both seduction and emptiness. Her gaze—curious, cold, occasionally questioning—anchors the film’s emotional ambiguity. She is often silent, sometimes almost passive, and yet you can’t take your eyes off her. Her portrayal is brave, enigmatic, and deeply effective. Glazer’s directing style leans into minimalism and ambiguity. Much of the film unfolds like a documentary, with naturalistic scenes shot guerilla-style, blending real people with actors, and giving the film a raw authenticity. The viewer becomes a third party, an unseen observer—drawn in but never fully allowed to understand. This sense of distance heightens the film’s eerie tone. But Under the Skin is more than just visuals and mystery. Beneath its chilling exterior, the film is a meditation on gender, identity, loneliness, and what it means to be human. It’s about viewing the world as a stranger. The alien doesn’t just look at humans—she tries to understand them, and in doing so, we’re forced to reflect on ourselves. There’s a terrifying beauty in watching her evolve—from predator to something more vulnerable, even empathetic. Mica Levi’s soundtrack deserves special mention. Her score is unsettling, deeply original, and merges perfectly with Glazer’s imagery. The music is not just background—it’s part of the world itself. It hums, pulses, screeches, and envelops, creating an atmosphere that is claustrophobic and otherworldly. It’s not just sound design—it’s psychological architecture. Visually, the film is extraordinary. Contrasts between the grimy realism of Scotland’s streets and the surreal, void-like black space of the “harvesting scenes” are breathtaking. There’s a rhythmic interplay between documentary-like sequences and symbolic, painterly tableaus—ocean waves, dense forests, blinking city lights. The sudden jumps in style are jarring, but purposefully so. Glazer doesn’t offer answers. The plot is minimal, the dialogue sparse, and logic is not the priority. Instead, the film invites interpretation—everything from commentary on the objectification of women, to existential questions of self and soul. Its pace will test some viewers’ patience, but for those willing to go deeper, the rewards are profound. Under the Skin is not a film for everyone—but for those open to something abstract, cerebral, and deeply atmospheric, it is unforgettable. A rare piece of cinema that bypasses the brain and lodges directly under your skin—hypnotic, grotesque, and strangely beautiful.
Under the Skin Trivia
Under the Skin was released on 9 September 2013.
Under the Skin was directed by Jonathan Glazer.
Under the Skin has a runtime of 1h 48m.
Under the Skin was produced by James Wilson, Nick Wechsler.
A voluptuous woman of unknown origin combs the highways in search of isolated men, luring a series of lost souls into an otherworldly lair.
The key characters in Under the Skin are Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy McWilliams, Lynsey Taylor Mackay.
Under the Skin is rated 15.
Under the Skin is a Science Fiction, Thriller, Drama film.
Under the Skin has an audience rating of 5.5 out of 10.
Under the Skin had a budget of US$13.3M.
Under the Skin has made US$7.2M at the box office.